Obituary of Michelle Renee Herrera

On Tuesday, January 9, 2024, Michelle Renee Herrera Miller, wife of Todd Miller and loving step mother of Justin Miller and Jared Miller passed into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, at age 53. She fully understood the sacrifice of Jesus for her sins.

Michelle was born on October 4, 1970 in Santa Fe, NM to Mary Helen Gonzales-Ortiz and Michael Herrera. In addition to her immediate family, she leaves behind her mother and father, step-mother Jeneane Herrera, step-father Armando Ortiz, sisters Amanda Kathleen Ortiz, Ruth Weaver, Hannah Phillips, brothers Nathan Herrera, Jesse Herrera and seven nieces and nephews. Michelle’s deceased maternal grandparents were Evangelina Gonzales and Salomon L. Gonzales, Jr. and her deceased paternal grandparents were Tito and MaryLou Herrera. She received a Social Work degree from NM State University in 1994 and a Masters in Social Work from NM Highlands in 2012. She spent most of her life working with the children and families of NM through CYFD. On May 29, 2021 she married Todd Miller, the love of her life, at a small family ceremony in Albuquerque.

Michelle’s special gift to her large family was her ability to be very present for them in every situation. Michelle loved cooking for her family and tamales were her favorite food. She loved the process of making them with family, and would not hear that any tamales were better than those made in New Mexico. Another of her loves were her two dogs Coco and Bebe. Coloring in color books was a great stress relief to her, as was going to movies with her family. Swimming at the gym and boxing in earlier years, were some of her pass-times. Time on the beach was a highlight and she was always dreaming of the next trip to Cancun. Her favorite performer was Pit Bull and she realized her lifetime dream when she attended his Las Vegas concert. Poker was her game, complete with smoking cigars, and she contemplated going pro! MMA fights and boxing were other leisure distractions. She loved the beautiful things of life and delighted in going to the beauty parlor to get hair or nails done. Michelle’s infectious laugh made everyone around her feel warmly embraced. She could be recognized by her trademark New Mexican culture sleeve tattoos. Pink was her favorite color and for that reason she loved viewing sunsets from her porch, as she chatted with neighbors. Michelle adored children and reveled in her nieces and nephews. Since she had no children of her own, she spent her life protecting the children of others through CYFD. Memorial services will be on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 2:00pm at Ascent Bible Church, 2076 Galisteo St. in Santa Fe, NM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to New Mexico Children’s Foundation.